The ultimate guide to warming drawers

When choosing an oven or renovating your kitchen, warming drawers are most definitely a feature to consider. Haier warming drawers make a perfect match with Haier ovens and ranges, seamlessly combining the two features into an elegant and timeless kitchen range. Read on to discover what exactly a warming drawer is, how it works and five reasons you need one in your kitchen.

What is a Warming Drawer?

Warming drawers are drawers typically located underneath an oven that are used to warm, cook and maintain low cooking temperatures. They can be used to keep dishes warm before serving, help doughs rise and even keep food fresh. Warming drawers can be purchased as a standalone product or as part of a combining set to complete your kitchen range. Haier warming drawers offer the “perfect match” meaning that they match effortlessly and perfectly with Haier ovens. Create a modern, sleek and perfectly matched duo for your kitchen by choosing our products.

How Do Warming Drawers Work?

So now that we have the general idea of what warming drawers are, how exactly do they work? Warming drawers are designed to keep food warm until it's ready to be served.

To do this, they use 3 main features: consistent low heat, temperature controls and humidity controls. These three functions keep your food at perfect serving temperature without drying it out or overcooking it.

Heating Elements

Warming drawers use heating elements (usually electric), located at the bottom or sides, to generate a low, consistent temperature which keeps food warm without cooking it further. These heating elements typically keep food at a steady temperature between 27°C and 93°C, ideal for maintaining cooked food fresh.

Temperature Controls

In addition to the steady temperature maintained by the warming drawer, they also feature temperature controls which allows you to choose the correct temperature for different types of food. Keeping bread warm may need a lower temperature than a meat dish, for example. Warming drawers allow you to choose the correct temperature based on the type of dish you are cooking, for perfect results, every time.

Humidity Controls

Humidity is just as important as temperature when holding food. There’s nothing as sad as taking a bite of your famous mashed potatoes and realising they are dry from sitting out too long. Haier warming drawers allow you to choose the humidity setting based on the type of food you have in the warming drawer. 
For example, you may choose a dryer setting for fried foods like French fries, and a more moist setting for foods like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables. The specialised vents and moisture sealing system control how much air circulates around the food.

Five Reasons to use a Warming Drawer

Warming drawers are an excellent addition to any kitchen, especially for those who like to entertain or try new cooking techniques. Here are Haier’s top five reasons to use a warming drawer:

• Great for multitasking. If you’re always in a rush or thrive on multitasking, a warming drawer is a must-have! The consistent low temperature of warming drawers ensures your food stays warm without drying it out or overcooking it. This is especially useful when juggling multiple dishes or waiting for guests to arrive. This is also useful when you need a little more flexibility in your schedule. No more scrambling to synchronise the timing of every dish perfectly!
• Preserves leftovers. With adjustable humidity controls, warming drawers can keep food moist or crispy depending on the dish. For example, it can keep dinner rolls soft and moist or maintain the crispness of fried foods. No more soggy leftover French fries! If you have a household with erratic routines, everyone can enjoy a fresh meal, even if they can’t sit down at the same time to eat.
• Ideal for entertaining. If you enjoy entertaining and hosting, a warming drawer will definitely change your life. When hosting get-togethers with friends or family, you can prepare dishes ahead of time and store them in the warming drawer. This way you can focus on spending time with your guests and relaxing, knowing that your dishes are kept at the perfect temperature and humidity, ready to be served.
• Warm plates and bowls. Warming drawers are not only for food! They can also be used to warm serving plates and bowls. Warm plates help keep food hotter for longer, enhancing the dining experience, especially for soups or dishes that cool quickly. You’ll feel like a Michelin star chef with your serving plates warmed to the perfect temperature.
• Prove dough for baking. Warming drawers are especially useful for baking and proving doughs. The controlled environment of the warming drawer is perfect to prove yeast-based doughs like bread or pizza dough. The gentle and consistent warmth of a warming drawer is the optimal environment for bread to rise, saving you time and improving your baking results. So go ahead, get that sourdough starter ready!

Haier Tip: Some Haier warming drawers have a vacuum seal function, keeping your raw food perfectly intact and expanding its shelf-life up to six times!

Conclusion: Do I Need a Warming Drawer?

Warming drawers are an extremely versatile addition to modern kitchens. Whether you’re a baking enthusiast, an entertainer, or simply someone who values quality meals, a warming drawer provides innumerable advantages.

Keep your food warm, fresh and ready to serve whether multitasking, on the go, or waiting for your in-laws to arrive for Christmas dinner, your warming drawer is your biggest ally in the kitchen. If you’re thinking of modernising your range or are looking for a new best friend, then yes, you definitely need a warming drawer!